CNN

At least Steele is talking some sense. Of course, the wrecking crew (Limbaugh, Cheney, "They turned me into a Newt" Gingrich, etc.) won't listen to him. As a die hard Dem, I love it! The GOP are killing themselves. I do believe a thorough vetting should happen in the Senate. But attacking based on statements taken out of context isn't fooling anyone – except the right wing Republican base.

Wow, looks like the Idiots have run out of targets now their going after each other..

It seems the more intelligent Republicans may finally be getting a backbone. Once Colin Powell took a shot at Limbaugh without later apologizing (like Steele and others did previously), you could see more moderates showing some courage against the divisive pundit.

Let's hope it's the beginning of the end of these shrill and insulting propagandists,

He's right... and and Repub's like Ginggrinch, Dxck Cheney, Limbbad, and Miffed Romney should all listen to his advice.

The GOP is moderating? Shocker! Steele, your pink socks are wearing out. All can see through the weak strategy you have been handed out by Republican leadership. Order another pair and make it a Rush delivery.

Slammin' slang doesn't get you votes.

Try again.

Good for him!

The way too get promoted in any party is by having Rush say something bad about you. Rush, I got news for you: YOU DON'T MATTER!!

Steele better watch out, he's gonna have to apologize to Limbo again!

Come on CNN... Where's the balance? EVERY DAY you headline supposed turmoil as though there's nothing but bickering in the GOP.

When are you going to talk about things like Burris (D) caught lying on FBI tapes, or how the nation now is more supportive of Pro-Life than for abortions, or how N Korea is snubbing obama right in his face and he doesn't see it, anything that will show THE OTHER side of the equation.

CNN continues to divide the country by only showing ONE side of debates.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! BE BALANCED, OR WE'LL KEEP SWITCHING TO FOX NEWS!

It would do the country such good if there could be civil debate between opposite political viewpoints. Sadly, that's impossible when demagogues like Rush Limbaugh are around.

You people who listen to him - why don't you wake up? There are adults who take a conservative viewpoint but who still deal in facts and civil discourse instead of mindless mudslinging. Listen to them instead.

its past time that white people stop being afraid of calling a spade a spade. This woman is a racist, her record reaks of racism. Weak and apologetic white people are a scourge of the white race. The day is coming when this country is going to explode from within.

I do not care what Limbaugh or Steele's positions are.
Limbaugh is irrelevant, except to the ditto-heads.
Steele is spineless and will just parrot the party line.

The GOP itself is becoming increasingly irrelevant.
Until they ditch Cheney, Rove, Bush, Palin, Limbaugh and Hannity, the GOP will just become more and more removed from the bulk of American citizens.

It is simply amazing how they just don't see the train coming.

The headline of this story was about Steele ripping Limbaugh. However, that is not part of the story at all. Steele says something sensible, and Limbaugh says something... well, let's just say unrelated to reality. But Steele rips Limbaugh? That is not only misleading, it is giving Mr. Steele credit for a bravery he has not shown, and credit for a spine he is not due.

generally, Steele is a mindless, lock-step party hack seeking to advance his personal goals at the expense of of the community of folks who are non-white. In this particular case, he has shown that he places American values above those of his party (at least the recent values of the GOP). Perhaps there is hope for the middle-ground in this country! Its the only way we will, all, ever, move ahead! Michael, if that's your position... I hope you stick to it! Congrats!

Republicans must learn to attack, attack, attack. It doesn't matter if they momentarily seem to lose ground. This is what the Dims do and it works. For eight years they attacked George Bush. Hell, make that 9 years. They're still attacking him. It doesn't matter if what you say makes sense, just attack. The body blows add up and take a toll. Republicans need to toughen up and they need to learn how to lie.

[...] "slammin' and rammin'" really the only phrase you could come up with to describe what many Republicans are doing to Sonia [...]

Or maybe Rush has run out of oxytonctin and is feeling grumpy. Or maybe Gingrich has divorced another wife who is ill.

These two know no shame.

And they represent the Republican party.
Wow.

Oh, Michael.
And Republicans were all set to implode with this useless demogoguery against a woman who doesn't fit their view of what Americans should be.
Michael, let the two Mr. Moralities, Limbaugh and Gingrich, let everybody know what monsters the Republicans can be. Then, at last, the decent people in the GOP and say goodbye to it and the good-old-boy exclusionist club they want.

Yes, GOP, go ahead and savage this woman. And for what?

Lol @ slammin' and rammin'.

The RNC made a HUGE mistake choosing this spinelss bungler as their leader. It's ironic that you have a black man actually defending a racist like Sotomayer.

so now obamas mouth piece (gibbs) is directly adressing limbaughs statements. who is in power here? obama or limbaugh. come on lighten up. what's next the official censure of a radio talk show host. perhaps obama is going to get fitted for a brown shirt aka obama youth after alll

Mr. Steele has my sympathy – although I am a Democrat, I do think he is a sincere person trying to act like an adult and do the right thing. He is in a difficult position with his party scattered in many directions, when they should be doing research to prepare for confirmation hearings. I don't think any nominee should be approved by rubber stamp.

All of the screaming and immature name-calling is more fitting behavior for junior high students than leaders of a national party.

I don't think those big ego republicans will listen

Rush LImbaugh is the biggest idiot to ever have a national audience. Oh that he might join Jerry Falwell in the big conservative orgy in the sky so we can finally rest easy down here with his big nasty mouth shut forever.

On Monday Rush will fire back at Steele, and by Monday afternoon Steele will have backtracked an appologized – these guys have become so predictable and sad...

Simply amazing. Team Obama and his fawning media minions feel the need to publicly address evey word uttered by Rush? Why waste our govt time on people like Rush. Our nation has enormous and serious issues at hand. Americans elected you to govern and not to play tiff for tatt with radio show hosts. Gee, I dont even or have to listen to Rush, because Team Obama keeps me updated 24/7. Why, why are you so obsessed with him. Bush team never attacked Olberman, Matthews, Air-Head America or other voices of the rabid left by name. If they ever went on the attack against the left-wing media, they kept the attack general and broad, rather than be specific. Team Bush knew enough about the White House to understand that part of its strength would keep them somewhat above the partisan-pundit fray. Team Obama hasnt figured that much out yet. If your stature is greater than your opponents, its never a good strategy to mention him by name

Thank you Steele for at least trying to be a voice of reason through all this.
Unfortunately, you have chosen to oppose the angry white guys (Rush, Newt), so your time as head of the Republican party may have just come to a glorious end.
Oh well, see ya!!

As a Republican, I am fed up by the misfits and hacks running today’s GOP. The debate over Judge Sotomayor’s appointment is absurd. Rush Limbaugh’s diatribe’s and Newt Gingrich’s venom are no better than the nuts on the Left who resort to name calling and pettiness. Limbaugh, Gingrich and the GOP leadership are intellectually bankrupt You ought to be ashamed of yourselves.

A box of rocks hold a higher IQ than Limbarf or his listeners. Maybe both Rush and David Duke would enjoy waterboarding while they are at it?

Shame on your party and shame on you for the language you have used. Women of Color have been labeled as abrasive which is a code word for loud and stupid. This woman is hardly stupid. May God have mercy upon you and the hate group you are apart of. What does a man profit to gain the whole world and lose his soul.

BTW, a President who is so against the white men has his cabinet full of them (VP, Sec. of Education, Press Secretary, etc) need I say more. So that argument does not hold water. I didn't even mention the white women. Go ahead spread your hate. I am part of neither party but I will never vote Republican! Never!

My God, does Limbaugh EVER shut the hell up??
I doubt Rush would ever oppose David
Duke on anything. Why?? Because Limbaugh and Duke have one in common – they are both BIGOTS.
Will these conservative crybabies ever go away??

And his apology to RL will be on tomorrow's political ticker.

Why doesn't "Rush Limbaugh" just attend the confirmation hearing
and personally attack nominee Sonia Sotomayor himself??

After all the others republicans are just jesters and he is the annointed king of the leming republican party; No doubt, his party will follow him off the history "cliff" into irrelevancy.

Maybe someday these chuckleheads will learn that the citizens of this country are very disgusted with they type of leadership that the republicans have used to both empower and enrich themselves,
special interests, and their business buddies. The same leadership that has bankrupted the rest of us simply will not be tolerated.

The page has "turned" and the American public deserves much
better than the usual republican tactic of demonizing everyone that
does not agree with their decrees.

The Republican party is such a mess!

Rush Limpballs is a lunitic , funny that he invokes the name of David Duke a Republican. Who spreads more hate and makes as many racist remarks as Rush Limpballs? He accuses everybody of racism when just last week he said that Barack wanted to use the stimulus money for welfare for the Black people. NO one is more racist than him, there is a special place in HELL for this jacka....

I am a Hispanic Woman and we know Judge Sotomayor has the credentials to be the next Justice of the Supreme Court, let me tell you all these racist attacks from Republicans like Rush Limbaugh and Tom Tancredo are resonating in the Hispanic Community and not precisely with a good outcome for Republicans we will take in consideration and we will look closely the way Sotomayor will be treated by the Senate, next year is election year and these people are offending our entire community with their rant. The Republican Party needs to remember California GOP history since Pete Wilson ; the problem for them is this time will be in the entire country. They can go out and say all that nonsense now and let’s see what happens in 2010 and 2012. Enough is Enough.
( I hope CNN will post this)

mushman strikes again. go republicans!

I just cannot agree that a liberal activist judge should be called historic.

Stop looking at her gender or her race and start looking at her record. This person is a bad choice and even Obama knows it.

He put her up here because we have weak kneed Republicans that don’t want to be seen as racist if they bring the house down on her.

Why do Democrats get a pass when they call a Republican nominee racist and everything else in the book?

This person is a bigot by her own words. And she has no problem pointing out her job as a judge is to make policy rather then enforce our Constitution.

I would not call this historic but a tragedy waiting to happen to us all!

How can anyone take this guy seriously?

If Michael Steele isn't careful about what he says he will probably have to apologize to Rush Limbaugh again.

Well, Rush Limbaugh certainly knows a thing or two about racism.

This whole thing is a ridiculous myth created for ratings on Rush's show. His advertisers should be ashamed of themselves for cashing in on this garbage spewed from Rush's you-know-what.

wonder what this moron has up his sleeve

Better watch out Mr. Steele, you might have to apologize to Rush for those comments...

Sotomayor is not hHspanic. Just her hair is black, and speake spanish, this is not "latina woman"
She is from Puerto Rico. the Caribe!
She has nothing about this culture1
That is way American have so much problems around the world!
Mixing cultures! That is an insult to the people of other countires.

r

Let's watch the response to this to see who really controls the GOP. I suspect it's Rush.

Wow only in the USA can a drug addicted nut bar radio host get so much attention with his BS anti everything unless it's a republican from the far right shooting his lips off!

No, I think the GOP should continue just what they've been doing with Sotomayor and in fact for the last eight years. Let them bury themselves completely so that there's room for a new opposition party that's living in 2009 rather than the same "old party" of today that's clearly living in 1809.

The country can see the GOP for what it is: an ethically bankrupt, ideologically lost, decaying collection of angry old wealthy white men whose unfair privilege can't be passed down to their white grandsons, making them tremendously and embarrassingly upset in the process.

theres no place for someone with her views on the supreme court,i took offence to her comments

How quickly will he apologize?!

Why do you people like to make Rush Limbaugh into your punching bag? Have you still not noticed that the man is not running for public office? If you don't like what he says, turn off your radios. Then, you don't have to listen to it. It really is that simple!

Come on Rush, tell us.. tell us the only reason the Chairman of YOUR party is saying that he's "excited" about this choice is because he's black. Come on Rush.. tell us.... tell us that he's another bigot, because God knows that everybody else that's a bigot... it certainly isn't you, right?

Rush go back to your hillbilly heroin,Your such a jerk! Viagra and the Virgin islands and a girlfriend 25 yrs your jr.Keep on leading the white trash to hell.plus you give your radio show away for free in most markets.

Eh, it looks to me that what ever this President does, those right wings are against. Fine. After reading all this comments, I just think that there are a handfull hardcore neocons who just don't see that our country is going in direction which is far better for most people, not just for few "chosen" ones (white, old, rich, etc.). They are against any changes (banks, auto industry, health reform, oil industry, etc.). They must have had very good life in last 15-20 years, and now they hate our President. I have seen comments where somebody (phoenix86) is telling us that he is not POTUS, but POS! And, those people think that they are "Real American"? I didn't vote for President Obama (now I am sorry), I didn' t vote for President Bush either, I am totaly against all what President Bush did to us, but I newer could call him POS!
Now, here is small game! After reading all comments posted by those neocons, lets go and post comments in their name, but with totaly oposit meaning! They are already fighting between them, and this will get us some laughing. Lets get some fun from all this blogs.
Ofcourse, if CNN moderator posts this! But, lets have fun, life is short, especialy for neocons and right wings republicans!

For the sake of America, PLEASE quit giving Limbaugh, and all
who tout his nasty rhetoric your air time. He does nothing to promote
the welfare of America. He is so full of hate he doesn't even know
how un- American, un- Christrian, and so totally inept he is. If
the money he is paid is the criteria for his importance, then those
who agree, promote and repeart his venom are no better than he
is. When I hear EX VP Cheney say he would choose Limbaugh
over Gen, Powell, this answers all questions as to how we got
in the mess we are in. Cheney's values are in the garbage with
Limbaugh, and I AM SICK OF HEARING FROM THEM~
Your repeated reference to these people, is not news. They
are done. Erase them from your agenda!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow ,Limbaugh saying " The way to get promoted in the Barack Obama administration" is "by hating white people." The hate is fostered by Limbaugh not the administration. These disgusting distortions are so outragous that only the loony fringe right would believe it. More and more of the republicans I know are viewing Limbaugh as an idiot, an embarrasment to the republican party

Mr Steele, you are the first Republican that I have agreed with in a long time. I tip my hat to you sir, I think you are exactly right.
We need to listen to and get to know more about Sotomayor before we can make an educated judgement about her. I guess that is unless your name is Rush Limbaugh who likes to shoot his mouth off just to hear the sound of it.
Why people take him seriously is beyond me. Actually, why anyone would even listen to him is way beyond me.
He is more what is wrong with this country with his spewing hate.
Surely there must be something more constructive to do with our time than listen to his rants.

Michael Steele is a joke. A bad joke.

Careful Steele don't challenge Rush or he'll be throwing you out of the Republican Party for not being in agreement with him. He'll even lump you in with Colin Powell.........You only wish it could be that easy to distance yourself from Rush.
Question: If Rush thinks Sotomayor is a racist is it fair to say Rush is a white supremist?

Terrible title. It can be interpreted as "Steele says do not slam and ram Sotomayor", or it can be interpreted as "Steele says that the slammin' and rammin' Sotomayor should not be allowed a seat on the Supreme Court".

When you read the article it becomes clear, but when you just read the ticker, if you don't click on the article, you could get a very false impression of Mr. Steele.

What a major dissapointment...I am now officially ashamed that I voted for this clown for Senator.

Just another panzi showboat more interested in "historic perception" than in what is good for the country.

What a joke..God save the Republican Party. Better yet, let the true Republicans break and form a new Party of pricnciple and backbone.

Taking bets on how long it'll take Michael Steele to renege on his statement and apologize to Head Rush!

Sorry, but where does Steele mention Limbaugh? What a biased, misleading headline, CNN.

I have mixed opinions of Michael Steele because I have genuine disagreements with some of his policy objectives. I appreciate that Mr. Steele is at least committed to respecting Sonia Sotomayor. As far as Rush Limbaugh is concerned I could just ramble on endlessly. I just wish that Mr. Limbaugh would go away and find something better to do. In summary I am looking forward to the successful nomination of Ms. Sotomayor. Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah whom I rarely agree with has one the best track records for supporting a wide range of nominees he is ideologically at odds with. I am awaiting the good news and this pending day of triumph for our US Supreme Court.

you are a poet and from the poems you shall be the music to the final curtain of the GOP

of your ashes shall rise the independant party

long live the independants

bye bye GOP

Oh noooo!!! Republicans can't unleash the hounds!! Whatever will they do?!?

How about talking unceasingly about what they would be doing, were they to unleash the hounds ....

Why is it that [with pain killer addicts & a few others] it's ALWAYS about trashing the other person? I will tell you the simple truth,...because it makes THEM feel better than they can believe in themselves to be. Ponderious...

why does Rush Limbaugh get to comment on racism at all? Wasnt he fired from a job or 2 for racist remarks?

Rush is a voice that's out there. I wish he were just a little bit farther away so that i wouldn't have to here him. he is inappropriate.

And how long will it be before Mr. Steele apologizes to Rush again?

When is the media going to get it that giving this serious racist and liar a platform to vent his disgusting spleen is collaborating with him. He'd fit on Queen Elizabeth's list of unwelcome visitors to Britain. If this were sixty years ago you know he's have been right there in the Nazi crowd.

This guy Steele is looking pretty smart for a Repuke. At least a lot smarter than Limbaugh.

Michael Steele has finally said something that makes sense. This is a historical moment and should recognized as such.

And, you be quiet! People like you are the ones who are driving me away from republican party, even I was there almost 50 years.

Rush....I used to subscribe to his banter when I was younger. He is such an out of touch fool today. His rhetoric is so ridiculous. He's the buffoon that he's tried to make so many other out of over the past 20 years. I hate him. Actually, he's the only person that I can say I truly hate. And... 20 or so years ago, he used to be the paid spokesperson for my business. Over time, though, he's just proven himself to be so out of touch with the needs of America. I'm sooooo sick of his bs. Makes me puke, without putting my fingers through my throat! Rush! Suck You!

Thank you, Michael Steele, for finally sounding logical. Limbaugh and everything about him is offensive. He loves to hate. He loves dittoheads who are in fact quite stupid, believing his multimillion dollar entertainment show actually deals with fact. Limbaugh, aka Slimebaugh, has become a caricature of himself, and truly is worse than a 650-pound gorilla.

What a bunch of crap. It's time to state the obvious: she is openly racist, much like the benediction at the Dali Bama's inauguration was openly racist. If mainstream white conservatives had even hinted around the edges of the language these liberal bottom feeders had used, the whiny onslaught of the press would have been endless.

So what else is new. Oh wait Rush slamming another nonwhite, nonwealthy nonanglo human being. Boy am I glad I'm not one of them. Thanks Rush, I feel so much better and safer now being a moderate republican. God, get a life!

Finally, Steele has realised that he was elected to bring people to a bigger tent and get republican candidates elected. With their harsh and often racial rhetoric( Rush and Newt) they have been unable to mobilize the electorate to buy their jaundiced vision of the world.
When a minority comes on the scene, Rush/Newt see them as either racist or "elitist". Sure minority that attended Columbia and Harvard is an elitist and another minority that attended Yale and Princeton and happens to be someone with the best judicial experience is racist .SNAP OUT OF IT. THE WORLD IS MOVING ON WITHOUT YOU.

This kind of a nominee could jeopardize the foundation of our democracy and I am suppose to say nothing!!!

This exactly how some republicans walk all over principal and they are in this bad political position because of it.

Oh, and I am registered independent voter.

What's with the slammin' and rammin' from Steele? Sounds pretty violent – I thought the Senate Confirmation hearings were to be conducted by civilized, elected officials.

Regarding Rush Limbaugh: Included among the many side-effects of long-term use of narcotics such as Oxycodone are paranoia, psychosis, and hallucinations.

If Rush has ever gone through withdrawal from Oxycodone (which I doubt; he certainly doesn't act like he's in recovery from anything), side-effects include Psychosis.

Steele sounds like the rarest of all things. A Republican that is willing to actually discuss a nominee on the basis of bher qualifications. Most seem to be like Limbaugh. Accepting distortions as fact without any questions. Distorting the truth and outright lying seems to be the only thing Republicans can do any more.
Democrats don't have to try to beat the GOP. The party is committing suicide as a group.
Go team, go.

I'm a Republican, and not a very proud one. While Steele is quite right he's backed down to Limbaugh to many times to have his opinions matter. Limbaugh leads the party by virtue of his volume, and we are doomed because of it...

Steele is not worthy of his job.

The problem with you Mr Steele , is that you are too thoughtful and logical. That's not what a good republican is...

As I used to say as a kid "takes one to know one" Rush. Talk about a racist.

Get a back bone Steele, be a real brother and stop letting Rush run all over you. Rush is a joke and a bigot, you run that party be strong.

Crappy reporting, ticker. If you're going to quote the LEADER of the Pachyderms (a fitting role for Rush), at least give us all of it. The quotes in the article don't even read properly. They're clearly out of context.

It doesn't matter, though – Rush is still wrecking the the "conservative movement" (to my utter delight). Don't bother asking what that is – it's blind leading the blind now. THEY don't even know where they're going!

So Ticker, help us document the Pachyderm King's destructive behavior properly! Give Conan some fresh material!

Here's the question I want answered. Is BO racist? Apparently you have to be from any origin other than a white American to get a place at the table with him. He's a socialist, people are comparing him to Jimmy Carter.... Yeah right. We should be so lucky, by the time this guy is done he will add up to Jimmy Carter to the 10th power. Get ready folks and I don't want to hear one word from the lib's that support him and are brainwashed by him.

Where is his "GAS" CZAR????? Why don't he appoint someone to watch over that? Oh! never mind I already know. He cannot push his GREEN energy policy nd break all Americans if gas prices are cheap.

Has anyone realized that gas was $3.90 per gallon when oil was $147 per barrel and now gas is $2.78 per gallon while oil is onlt $64 per barrel???? Do the math, at this rate if it goes back to even $100 per barrel yu'll be paying $5 per gallon. Why isn't anyone talking about this? Watch out for those food prices.

This government is a huge joke and we are a joke as American people for tolerating them.

When you play nice to democrats especially left wing you get your b-s cut off and stuck up your A–! This woman would not even make the jury pool! Remember Hillary every american has the right to speak up to all adminstrations Speak up if not one will become a sheep and you will want to drink the KOOL AID

I am tired of all the historic talk! I do not think it was a big deal that Obama was elected. This is America in the year 2009. Anyone can achieve in this country. The only thing I'm surprised about is that someone so unqualified was elected.
Now we have to hear all about everyone's diversity! Is she qualified? Will she follow the Constitution? I don't care if she's from Jupiter! Will she do the job the way it should be done? Answers to all-probably not.
Just don't bore me, Michael, with being excited about the historic aspect of this. Who cares about her story? Everyone has a story, no matter if you're white, black, brown, red, or neon green!
What happened to judging people on their character?!!!!

Who is Steele kidding? His own slammin & rammin [sic] words two weeks ago were "abrasive" and "not distinguished."

Steele and his ridiculous GOP cohorts continue to step in it. All of their outrageous nonsense is on tape, unfortunately revealing their hypocrisy.

Judge Sotomayor is well-qualified and deserves a fair confirmation.

PLEASE.....give me a break, if anyone other than a hispanic female had made the comment she had would be gone. But lets look past that...this woman is NOT the most qualified candidate out there that is available or deserving of this honor! She has nothing on her resume other than one ruling on the baseball strike back in like 95...Even if she didnt have a racist attitude she wouldnt be the most QUALIFIED candidate.

One last note I am sorry but Obama is wrong in wanting a Supreme Court Judge to have EMPATHY!

Rush, his ditto heads and the obvious undercover racism are the 3 reason why I am an independent now after decades of voting almost exclusively Republican.. I am sorry to say that I now hesitate to vote Republican at all anymore. I can't be the only one. Look at the numbers. It's a sad day when I would rather side with a tree hugging liberal than just about any conservative out there associated with the Republican party. GOP please wake up and stop listening to El Rushbo!!!!!!

Limbaugh is a bigot. Always has been and always will be. He appeals to the lowest and worst instincts of people. The fact that he has any defenders is a testament to just how irrational his supportors are. He knows that many people are fearful of all minorities and he will exploit those fears for power and profit. How cynical.

Steven Richards

Would somebody please give Rush Limbaugh a drug test? I think all the oxy-cotin he took in the past has affected his brain...or whatever brain he had. Who knows, he's probably still on the oxy.

What a loser. If the Repbulicans really think he's on to something, let him run for office and stop spewing his hatred on the airwaves. Good luck to those of you that think he represents the GOP.

Real American's should be offended by his remarks, especially when he puts himself out to be a "true American". He is a bitter old man whose 15 minutes of fame should have been over long ago.

Sound like Limbaugh's still on drugs. The man's ranting gets crazier by the day.

Well done Mr. Steele. If you have a problem with her decisions that's one thing but all this other GOP bull has got to go.

1. 2. 3 4. michael will be issuing an apology to LIMPBAUGH shortly.
I would lend him my ovaries but he wouldn't make good use of them either.
He is a total wuss.

Ya' know, as a moderate Democrat I would hate to see this man run against President Obama in 2012...he is the only visible Republican figure who seems to get it and to see the big picture of the direction our country is yearning to travel. This is proven out by the fact that every time he makes a statement the ultra-right-wing-ding-a-lings jump out and are ready to rake him across the coals. Mr. Steele, I may not agree with the values of the people you represent, but I do respect your true 'maverikness' as you flail out against those who make up your core coalition.

heheheh Steele reminds me of one of those parents that try to relate with their kids by using their slang and can never seem to get it down quite right.

I think the ultra right are doing a fine job of unhinging ,just fine. Sotomayor should be drilled and grilled until tensions are so high that we we have another long hot summer.

Bush Defends Clinton's Record on Genocide in Rwanda
________________

Bush and Clinton know how to respect the office of the president - Obama does NOT! But, then, Obama doesn't respect ANYTHING other than his own ego!

Mr. Steele, Good call. Thank U, your Nut's are not gooding to STOP Sostmayor!

There will always be a goodly number of demented minds around who will believe - indeed, WANT to believe - what is said by someone like Limbaugh. Hitler, too, found a ready audience for his ranting and raving. And wasn't it his henchman, Goebels, who siad something to the effect that "the bigger the lie, the more likely it is to be believed"? Good going, Rush! You're really playing in the Big Leagues now!

So how long before Steele will have to apologize to Limbaugh ? Every time I think the Far Right has stooped to it's lowest...they remind me there's always room for a larger gutter. I am realizing now that the biggest fear the GOP has is an educated minority class. Not all of us are sneaking in the back door folks. Many of us are third generation AMERICANS, proud and determined. We are educated, we vote and you wouldn't convince me in a million years that I would want to belong to this party of bigots. Your great icon Reagan was a gentleman and I truly believe he would never want to be associated with this type of hatred. Shame on all of you.

Rush's audience is that 20% of Americans who still approved of GWB right to the end of his Presidency. Unfortunately, he's somehow become the defacto spokesperson for the Republican party – and 20% isn't enough to win any elections.

Steele has a vocabulary all to his own. Who speaks like this: "slamming" & "ramming"? Sounds like something a sodomite would say. This is certainly not hip hop or the queens english.

The Republican Party could not sink any lower. I have never seen such a hateful, mean spirited, disgusting group that claims to be Christians. If these people represent Christian thinking and behavior, I would become an agnostic! Their leadership wants Obama to fail so badly that they are willing to take the entire country and economy down. Dick Cheney, Rush Lindbag, and Michael Steele will guarantee the failure of this sick, sick Party. They are truly the Party of obstructionism. I am an Independent, and I would not vote for a Republican if my life depended on it.

Rush loves to lead people to believe he is color blind like only he can see just the issues without prejudice of skin color, race , religion... everyone else is racists, doesnt he get tired of being the only intelligent voice speaking????????

So what you are saying here is all Obama has to do is keep appointing minorities to every post and no one can speak out against them ever?

This woman has no right being a judge, much less being on the supreme court.

I don't care if "she would have restated" what she said. The fact is she did say it and she meant it, restating it doesn't change how she feels.

I am a registered Republican, voted Republican ticket the past 4 elections, and am retire military plus long-time listener to Rush. I was raised in the Catholic faith and thus consider myself a conservative. To keep my comment in perspective I must first say that I am an American of Puertorican descent, and had always struggle to explain to fellow Hispanics why I am Republican. The Republican Party is doing everything possible to distance themselves from the Latino community by attacking her nomination to the Supreme Court on the "racist" argument. We (Republicans) wondered how we lost the Hispanic vote in the last election. The "racism substance" is the answer. It greatly distanced the Party from the African American population and surely will with the Hispanic community. Not a smart move!

What this woman Believes?? Steele is a joke!!

You see, it not just the Old Scared White Male GOP that's making a fool of themselves, it doesn't matter what you skin color is, it ALL of the GOP!

Wow, moderation from the Republican Party. Thank you Mr. Steele.

Oh, Mikey Steele...you know now you gonna hafta kneel on down and ask fogiveness from da real party boss, Rush. Oh, dear....oh, dear!

Yeah, and within 5 minutes he'll be cowtowing to Limbaugh again 'Oh, I didn't mean it, I meant to parrot your talking points, I'm sorry if I ever dared even think anything else than what you tell me to think!'

Wow, I never thought I would hear something intelligent out of Steele. I'm pleasantly surprised. Turning Point?!

Oh Steele. Haven't you gotten it yet. Republicans don't listen to you, they listen to Lord Limbaugh.

Ahh, good ole Rush! He'll say anything for $35 mil a year!

Steele says "no slammin and rammin" of Sotomayor....

What a laugh.

Given the history of the GOP and its lapdog wingnut media, good luck with that Mr. Steele.

Tell em Steele...kick them hillbillies out your party and force them to form the KKK alliance cause that's where they deserve to be with people like them self's burning crosses.... They are nothing but...TRASH!

It would be nice to know the ICQ of limbough, from his takes on various issues that i have followed since the presidential campain started (over 2years), shows to me time & again that his ICQ must be very low & he has hard time in getting the essence of a subject / issue.
Surprisingly, so many supports him, as he claims to have a 20 million so-called followers that listens to him... Well that's a crazy & stupid criteria. If that has any real meaning & significance, then Osama bin laden has many times more followers and listeners( worldwide) than Limbough (only in america)..

Keep it up Rush! The GOP hates you now.

Keep it up Limbidiot and you, Gingrich, Cheney and Tancredo will be the only people left in the Republican party. Maybe you haven't heard because your echo chamber audience refuses to see the reality of the world but Obama one by a huge margin because of idiots like you.

The days of Ronald Reagen are OVER!!!! If the GOP is to survive it can't simply be the party of disgruntled old white men who want to return America to the days of Leave it to Beaver and Andy Griffin. We need Latinos, Blacks, women, voters under 45 yrs old and college educated white men.

When someone makes idiotic comments such as Limbaugh, it is best to speak out against such bigotry.

Judge Sonia Sotomayor is a Hispanic woman nominated for the U.S. Supreme Court by the President of the United States. This is of historical significance and RNC Chairman Michael Steele has addressed that as it should be.

Limbaugh is of times gone by, that are full of bigotry and hatred.

Americans have grown beyond that and the reason for the election of President Barack Obama in November. Too bad, Limbaugh, cannot see that.

steele.....not a true conservative....she is a racist...who thought it not best to promote white firefighters because there was not a black one on the list because a black one did not pass the required test...steele sounds like a liberal...not wanting the best..but whatever or whoever is politically convinient ...

"Steele rips Limbaugh's approach" the headlines says.
You think maybe this is a example of why CNN continues to loose viewers. Your bias is too obvious.
You guys love Steele when he disagrees with Rush, then you mock him when he has to apologize to Rush.
You people (libs) run everything, why all the nastiness?
Concentrate on furthering your agenda, your time is limited.

Why do we waste time.
They both are incompetent, arrogant and ignorant MORONS.

Rush is EXACTLY CORRECT!! The Republican Party does not stand a chance with Mr. Steele in the leadership. It IS TIME we did some slammin and rammin, because that's all we've gotten from the Obama administration to date. If Republicans don't start standing up, and standing together for their core values, this country is going to be unrecognizable by the end of 4 years.

I can't even believe Mr. Steele's comment that this nomination is "historic" and thereby warrants a pass on severe scrutiny. For God's Sake, this is a lifetime position that could shape our country for years into the future and just based on the initial comments that we KNOW she's made, the red flags are already being raised. Maybe Mr. Steele should just go ahead and take a position with the Obama administration. It would seem his views are more in line with them.

Limbaugh is a complete buffoon! Obama was raised by his WHITE grandparents...he's no reverse racist...what a complete windbag...and I voted for McCain.

I'm pro-life, and my main concern with Obama (who has been an abortion-rights radical) is that he would nominate abortion-rights activist judges to the court. Sotomayer is as good as we (pro-lifers) could hope for.

Dear God, they've gone so over the edge. These comments go far beyond any rational thought, it's just appalling.

Shameful, simply shameful.

And to you Robert Gibbs, her selection is "offensive" to this nation and to our Constitution.

GOP=No,and America says No=GOP

What's black on the outside and white on the inside?

A republican standing between Steele and Powell.

If Steele is guest-hosting, does that mean that virtuous Bill is back in Vegas blowing another million at the craps table?

Excuse me, Mr Steele. The historic significance of her nomination is totally inappropriate to recognize. Regardless of her leanings, her "empathies", her membership associations, her "attitudes", she should be considered upon judicial merit and judicial merit alone.

Very smart from Steele. Rush is not the future of the Republican Party. Sotamayor will be confirmed. The court is too far to the right and needs to be more representative of American society.

Steele, did you get Limbaugh or Gingrich's approval before speaking, you know how it looks when you have to crawl to them and apologize.

CNN misleads the public again. The ticker for this story read: "Steele rips Limbaugh SCOTUS approach". The ticker suggest that Steele admonished Limbaugh, but in fact the story contains no such information. Why? Because it doesn't exist. Yet again you try to shape public opinion rather than report the news. You really aren't journalists. You are propagandists.

Offensive is the word used here folks by Limbaugh, but this dude is a sick minded person with no sense of humors at all for whoever in this world.I bet he even had a family either of his own.

"Slammin and Rammin"??? I am now 65 years old. When I was in college, I was secretary of our state Young Republican club. I stayed with the Republican party for years feeling that it represented my views. No More! This Republican Party looks nothing like the party that I was a part of. I truly believe that we must have opposite points of political views, but the "new" Republican party has gone off a very steep cliff! To let Rush Limbaugh define what your party has become with no one willing to really oppose him is tragic!

Judge Sotomayor has been over-turned on appeal 3 times in 380 opinions issued. That's 80/100 of 1%. Limbaugh said repeatedly that she had been over-turned 80%. Another example of Limbaugh's lies and/or incompetence.

Cannot the GOP see that Limbaugh is really just a huge liability to its establishing any sort of credibility with anyone other than the red necked and super conservative religious right? This is a dwindling (thank God!!) segment of our population and there is no future for any political party to kowtow to that group and in particular their hate mongering spokesman!!!

Do you think it will take all the way to Monday for Steele to get on his knees and BEG Limpballs to forgive him for getting out of line???
Seriously, I'm glad to hear reason from the "Right," I hope it sticks! It would be great to be able to CONVERSE with Republicans about things, rather than pretend the other side is Satin.

Grow a pair, Michael Steele! Rush and Newt are right. Stand UP for what is right! Stand up against this racist/anti-caucasian woman! Quit watering down your opposition!

Now you better go apologize to Rush tomorrow.

I notice Steele didn't mention Rush Limbaugh specifically by name (at least the way this piece is written). He kept it very generic ("some folks"). I think Steele doesn't have the balls to stand up to that big blob of elephantine ego and worthless opinion. If he did, he'd probably only apologize again out of fear.

Ohhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!! Rush and the Haters are going to get you for saying

that. . . Steele you're toast ( which you are already ) after that comment.

The more Rush blabs, the more irrational he sounds... David Duke?
Sounds like the big guy is doing drugs again ... sensible republicans will move away from the comedy hour with Newt & Rush ...

by the way, Hispanic is not a "race" – its more like being Irish or French or Italian ... a cultural heritage... but of course, rush, having never graduated from high school, wouldn't know that.

This country is descending towards MARXISM at BREATHTAKING SPEED according to PRAVDA a Russian newspaper; AND all you can talk about CNN is this kind of garbage? Don't you think as part of the media YOU as news reporters all over the world should REPORT to the American people how their country is going to the dogs?

SHAME ON YOU CNN!

Just when I think Steele is improving he proves again that he is an idiot. He is obviously confusing his "historic" appointment as RNC chief (a huge mistake that desperately needs to be corrected) with another "historic" appointment to the Supreme Court. Nominees are not chosen because it will be "historic". They are chosen because of qualifications, which both Steele and Sotomayor lack.

Somebody needs to sew Limbaughs mouth shut. He has turned into such a disgrace, spewing nothing but hate. Many many years ago, I was an avid listener of Mr. Limbaughs talk radio show, back when he spoke intelligently about the issues. Now..is nothing but a racist, hate mongering windbag and one of the main reason I voted straight down the democratic line ( and I am an independent who leaned toward the conservative right most of my life). Though I still have many conservative values..I believe love comes in many forms and shouldn't be dismissed because someone else thinks its wrong, and abortion is one of the most heart wrenching decisions a women has to make (though I am pro life) and no one has the right to judge unless they have walked in some elses shoes..RUSH..I really pitty you. You haven't yet figured out it is not about bullying and passing judgement, it's about understanding and an Americans right to form their own opinions and live their life as they choose without windbags like you spewing venum because everyone doesn't think they way you do. (Thankfully)

Keep taliking big boy Limbaugh and he only people who will be left in your Republican Party will be you, Dick Cheney and David Duke.

"Slammin' and rammin'"??? Come on Mr. Steele. Speak like an adult.

It appears as though the RNC doesn't want to see its increasingly narrowing appeal cede more of the latino vote. If it weren't for that, they would be fully engaged in their typical "slammin and rammin".

Gee Rush..does that mean if he was stupid enough to nominate someone as ignorant as you?

Rush Limbaugh, Glen Beck and others are living proof that "A Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Waste".

Michael Steele will be apologizing to Rushie-Rush tomorrow!!! We know who's REALLY running the Republican Party. Limbaugh and Cheney.

Gosh I really hate Rush Limbaugh

Limbaugh is trash. Pure and simple.

The old Steel is back good for him.

Limbaugh should remember that David Duke almost become governor of Louisiana as a Republican. Keep it up Rush, you're the Democrats best friend.

Mr. Steele..it does little good now for you to give left-handed criticism to limbaugh and back handed praise to Judge Sotomayor...everyone knows your party for what it has become...I cannot use the accurate description here..this is a family oriented column

And Robert Gibbs along with the entire obama administration, and including Michael Steel, Colin Powell and Sen. Cronyn. if they vote for Sotomayor, these are the type people that would go scuba-diving in their mothers vomit.

It's all well and good for Mr. Steele say something intelligent, but that could be helpful to the Republican party, which I detest. Better to have Gingerich, Limbaugh and Cheney shooting off their mouths.

Rush is the best thing to happen to the Democrats in years. Keep up the good work!

Many, many thanks, Michael. You are exactly correct.

This nominee has experiences many in this country do not identify with.

It is not easy to put aside one's initial perceptions and look more closely. And, of course, no nominee can truly predict the circumstances that are going to be put before them in the Court in the future.

Rush makes me embarrass to be a republican.

Dear Mr. Steele,

You are not a real Republican and are, therefore, kicked out of the Republican Party.

Signed,

Dick Cheney and Rush Limbaugh
GOP Leaders

steele the damage is already done. you and your fellow repubs are acting like kids. grown-ups calling an educated and respecful hard working woman, names is very disrepectful. i hope the latino community and all women, will not forget this when they go to the polls. you are all angry people, you bully others very aggressive people, should never be anywhere in a public office. yess am talking about republicans.

Only in the out-of-control-politically-correct world of Obamaland can a so called minority make a racist comment, and when called for it, those that point it out are called racist.

Sotamayor is a racist. If a white male had said what she said, he would have been disbarred.

Stop being obtuse and afraid of the truth.

Why doesn't Steele just speak english???/ He is such an embarrassment!!!

Limbaugh's getting ahead in the Obama Administration by "hating white people" is the desperate, divisive misdirection of a man who knows his days are numbered. He will be around. He will have an audience. But the 30 percent of the American electorate who still follow him and Gingrich and other radical Republicans will soon be irrelevant. In our democracy, you need more than 50 percent of voters to win election.

As A Republican I WILL NOT SUPPORT the Republican party as long as the leave a person like Steele in place. Steele is a puppet of what is WRONG with the Republican party. Steele is NO BETTER than some of the Democrates under Obama. Steele exemplifies what is wrong and if you read some of his statements, he keeps racism aliove as well. I will not support republiocans as long as Steele is in his position.

now apologize.

These people can't get themselves even close to being on the same terrain. Blood is in the water and they're feeding on themselves. Comparing Sotomayor ,who said something not very smart off the cuff, to a man like David Duke who attended the 'Holocaust is a hoax" seminar with people such as Ahmedinejad, is imbecile speech. Although I'm sure ditto heads will repeat this cretinous chatter ad infinitum.

Keep slamming repubs. The hole gets deeper and deeper. Call Limbaugh to help you dig even deeper. I love it. Steele must be getting weak. Call Limbaugh–he will help you out.

Limbaugh gets paid handsomely for making outrageous comments, so whatever comes out of his mouth is suspect. It's about time that the RNC Chair took the GOP road less traveled. I hope that Steele stands tall this time and not bow to Rush.

I really, really hope Rush's kidneys fail.

This chick belongs to 'la raza' a racist group that promotes hispanic people over all other races! What do you call this racism!!!!!! I was born in the projects of West Oakland, poor, self-made white man! This is offensive as hell to a lot of people!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So she is a latin david duke just like barry obama is a marxist – with his buddies wright, farrakhan, and the whtie terror boy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Republicans still don't know which way to turn and the numbers keep getting better for the Dems. Gotta love that in-fighting! Is anyone really leading the Republican party?

Rush Limbaugh is single handedly destroying the Republican party. I LOVE IT!!! KEEP TALKING RUSH!!!

America needs to make a list of all the advertisers and sponsors of Rush and simply make a nationwide boycott of them and their products. He is disgustingly hateful and a force for hatred in America. He lies, he is an unapologetic drug abuser, he hates most of America and his negativity will only bring bad things. Let people listen to him all they want. That won't change much if they aren't thoughtful human beings. So nip it in the wallet. Bad publicity for sponsors might pull some of the wind from the sails of the hate ship.

people like rush say things that can get people killed. that man is the king of ignorance "period"!!!!

Sunday may 31, gee mr rush i apol0gze for my comments and wont say anything without checking with you. yessum boss you is right

I am taking bets on how long it takes for him to apologize to Rush for contradicting him. I am putting the over/under at 16 hours.

Rush should be the poster child for the dangers of drug addiction

Rush called Sonia a 'bigot', how utterly nasty.

The real question is when will Steele apologize to Rushie?

Did somebody unleash the fat slob drug addict again? Will ANYBODY please put Rush back in the yard and throw him some hamburger. Thank you. Be kind to animals.

Now Limbaugh and his ilk are going to accuse Steele of racism. They just don't get it.

If a baby cries and constantly cries until they get attention they will always act that way,,,that's how Limbaugh and Hannity behave..if you ignore them watch how fast they will go away.....

I am completely amazed that Rush has any sponsors. I for one wouldn't by anything from anyone that is stupid enough to sponsor a hate mongor like him. Which brings me to another point . . . . . . . . . and that is living in a country that allows you to speak you mind . . . even though what comes out is vicious and distasteful

The republican party is a joke.

This is the first intelligent thing I've heard Steele say since he became the Chairman of the RepugniKKKant National Committee!

Is Limbaugh and the Republican conservatives trying to divide America? It sounds like he wants a divided and segregated America so that he and his buddies can sit in front of the bus again.

Rush Limbaugh is one sick man.

It's all about race.

It's rare that I give Steele credit for anything intelligent, but I'm proud to see him taking this stance. Limbaugh is so far out there that it's a shame.

McCain lost the Hispanic vote 67% to 31%. Hispanics are one of the fasting growing demographic groups in the country.

You mean to tell me that the Republican party is going to try not to seat a HIGHLY QUALIFIED Hispanic Woman to the highest court in the land because of what Limbaugh, Tancredo, Gingrich and a host of other conservative mouthpieces say?? Are you serious?

I guess they like losin', LOL!!!!!!

Hey Michael Steel...stop dropping your g's, you are starting to sound as uneducated as Sarah Palin does and is. Saying things like rammin' and slammin' does not make you sound cool, it makes you sound stupid.

I wish Mr. Steele would grow the hell up and act his age and be real. You are so PHONY.

Limbaugh is such a jerk. He is the racist here, not Judge. Sotomayor. Judge Sotomayor is over the top as far as qualifications go, having more experience going into the Supreme Court than anyone currently serving on the bench. Limbaugh just does not like that fact that we have a multi-cultural Obama Administration. Too bad Rush, get use to it, this is the face of America. It's about time that the White House, and Supreme Court, as well as the congress and entire Presidential Administation reflect the ethnicnicity of our nation, not only rich white men.

Slammin' and RAMMIN'?? Oh Dear God.. I..wow,...I'm speechless...

No no no; what is this, a clown competition? No, this "historic aspect" propaganda is PC vernacular to exercise a subtle reverse racism. To be truly color blind is to refuse to engage in ANY ethnic identity labeling. Which would include official taxpayer funded recognition of any average citizen elevated to an above average government position of authority.

That her nomination is historic does not make it good. Stop being a joke, Steele.

Steele,

Your statement does not hold water after they presently slamming and ramming ...... YOU

Laughable, radical, marginalized Rush spewing pea soup again...maybe Mr. Steele is smarter than he's displayed so far...

Is he for real? Man, there must be some serious buyer's remorse on the part of the RNC everytime this clown steps up to a microphone. He'll change his stance as soon as Limbaugh tells him.

In before Steele apologizes for disagreeing with the Grand Wizard of the GOP...

Ha, ha. "Slammin and rammin" is all you Republican's know how to do. Go right ahead. No one is taking you seriously anyway. We are just happy that you do not have control or enough power to make the middle class poorer and the rich richer. We are thrilled that, if God forbid, there is a natural disaster we don't have to count on an horse trainer to keep citizens safe. We don't have to deal with mediocrity and inarticulate speakers anymore. Too bad, we could not get the party of no (sense) out before you turned a surplus to a deficit and lead so many of our men and women to die and lose limbs for a war based on lies. So slam and ram all you want to. Your base needs it and you are losing the few people of vision and intelligence that you have.

Michael Steele knows that the hispanic vote may very well be in the balance with Sotomayor's selection.
Guys like Gingrich are living in the 90's, and still think that the old rules apply.
Limpballs is honking his tooter to the same old tunes too, and this just wont cut it for the GOP anymore.
I dont think that the GOP knows just how much they are being tested by the Obama presidency. They have continued on with their tried and true game plan, and we have seen very little different in the form of ideas from their spokepersons and potential leaders.
Even true conservatives like Pat Buchanan are having a hard time connecting with would be voters. Ron Paul alone has been successful in energizing young conservatives to the cause. Only to be cast away by his own party as a "radical."
It is time for a new and younger generation to take the reins of the Republican stagecoach from the crotchety old men who represent the Grand Old Party as a bunch of Grumpy Old Poopers.

Now they realize Limbaugh, Cheney, and Rove are the problem so let's throw them under the bus. Problem is you can change the cover of a book, but what is written inside is still the same.

Millions of moderate Republicans, including I, are horrified at the mean, vicious unwarranted comments coming from various sectors of our party. Indeed, the maliciously evil rants of Rush and Gingrich and Cheney are exactly what anyone wishing to destroy the GOP would hope for. In case anyone forgot to review the results of the last two elections, we are in danger of becoming a minor regional party. And as millions of moderates leave or ignore the party they once faithfully supported, things will only get worse. We've already lost minorities and the young for a generation; how much more before we go the way of the Whigs. MODERATE AND LIBERAL REPUBLICANS, TAKE BACK YOUR PARTY! The Conservatives are hell-bent on destroying the party and America.

Hmm, wonder if Steele will turn around in less than 48 hours and bend over backwards to beg forgiveness from Massa Limbaugh like last time...

uh oh, Steele better ready his apology, the GOP leader will not like his comments.

Please quit referring to Limbaugh as a "conservative." He's an irrational, racist, intellectually challenged right wing bomb-thrower.

First almost sensable thing steele has said yet. let's see if he can keep it up or if Rush will pound him again. good luck Michael!

Steele is a HYPOCRITE, he is only trying to act "nice",because HE IS SCARED OF LOSING HISPANIC VOTERS.

So which republican will be he first to come out to say everything Steele said is wrong, wrong, wrong?

You know someone will. They always do.

Yeah, David Duke ran as a republican for public offlce. Rush needs to take a bottle and go to bed !

Steele is being very reasonable here. Limbaugh is just continuing to make a fool of himself. Limmbaugh is buffoonery incarnate!

rush limbaugh calling someone racist is just about as stupid as him calling someone a fat drug addict. And, by saying things like "slammin and rammin", Mike Steele isn't making himself look any smarter.

Does this man have a position? I guess its on his knees, kissing the hind flavor the day.

At the end of the word "sponsor" I forgot the word "forever."

Of COURSE Robert Gibbs would call Limbaugh's comments offensive – Gibbs is simply trying to turn the tables on the offensive comments made by Sotomayor! As a white person, I find Sotomayor's words about white men offensive. I'm sick and tired of black, Hispanics, and other minorities being able to get away with hate speech against white people! Are white people supposed to just sit around and take it, these racist hate speech comments by people like Sotomayor, Reverend Wright, and others? Why can't we just move PAST race and gender?!

In addition, there is another issue going on here that is just NOTcool. Republians are fighting among themselves – but don't they get? Liberals are watering at their mouths for just this sort of falling apart – a split in the Republican party. Listen up my conservative friends – united we stand but divided we fall! Don't fall into the trap. The Republican Party needs a REAL leader right now more than ever! We need a uniter, We need a very special someone who can defeat Obama in 3 and 1/2 years!

I don't think Republicans take you seriously, Michael Steele. Although it's a good advice. Let's see if they listen.

OK, most people have it's time for you to catch up.............

America measures everything by gender and race?

If THESE comments don't do Rush Limbaugh in...this nation is, intellectually, in worse shape than ever.

Tell you what: I'm going to tape his show on Monday...play back every commercial...then boycott each and every sponsor.

Rush can't be serious with those comments. That's the pot calling the kettle black !

Historically bad decisions aren't necessarily vital to our welfare as a nation. She is racist...plain and simple. She said she is better suited to judge than a white man. So Steele is saying...hey racism is okay...as long as it is against whites.

This might be the smartest thing I've seen out of the GOP ever. To bad they are mostly a bunch of crazy radical idealists and will never hold off on obstructing President Obama's choice. The have shown themselves to be the worst losers of a shift in power. Only the ones who are not currently holding an electable office open their mouths. Who does this party represent? Not me, not America.

Why did they elect this clown as chairman?

Steele seems to recognize the hole the Republicans are trying their best to jump into. You cannot give him much credit though because he doesn't condemn his boss Gasbag.

Sleezebags like Rush Limbaugh do not qualify to be a member of the human race. This drug addled, uneducated moron is a fitting leader of the Republican party.

I am unsure why CNN continues to publish everything Limbag spouts. I guess CNN is trying to out fox FOX to become the mouthpiece for the Republican wingnuts.

The same guy who a week ago boasted the President Obama "wasn't vetted because he's black" now says that there should be focus on recognizing the "historic aspect" of nominating a Hispanic to the Supreme Court? He can't have it both ways. Does this guy have any clue what he's doing?

It looks like CNN is going to censor everyone on this topic! Way to go CNN – we just love how you give us our Free Speech on your ticker!

Wow, Steele is showing to finaly have some insight... I thought that he was all knee-jerk myself. Finally, the GOP may start to provide constructive criticisms instead of being the party of NO.

It might be better said that one should question the nominee as to what her motivation could possibly be for making a statement like she made in 2001. If in fact we are all one people, and in God's eyes I believe we are, these types of statements should get the press they deserve. Should we not ask the nominee the question of motivation and find out what is truly in her heart?? Surely we all have differing backgrounds and life experiences, how does that make us so different? ONLY and I mean ONLY if we choose to be so. This is still the greatest country in the world and possibly it is time for us to stop focussing and proclaiming our differences and pay attention to what our creator intended for our lives: Love, Peace, Relationships and helping our fellow man. So if this humble opinion means anything I expect the nominee should be asked and respond in a manner that assures us she will perform the duty at hand with all the professonalism and dedication befitting a Supreme Court Justice.

OH Come on Michael! Let Rush, Newt, Karl and Tom be the non-elected spokesmen for the GOP!

They'll take the GOP to a new LOW-Level – how low can the GOP go?

Steele = moron

Bias:? Sick Bias! Blacks saving Blacks. We must keep power, say the underdogs. The African American, wh is sick with control. Whatever party they come from... Remember 1961? Those were the days my friend, I hoped they'd never end. We'd sing and dance forever and a day. Then came CNN, and all aof a sudden the world stopped dancing. I wonder why??

First thing I need to say is that it's clear that Steele is the wrong choice for the Republicans to say such an idiotic thing as he's saying. What the heck does the "historic aspect" have to do with her? I agree with Limbaugh 100% that she is a bigot that hates whites and doesn't belong on the Supreme Court.

But I will say that her choice is typical of our racist president who also hates whites!

First intelligent thing I've heard this man say ...

Mr.Limbaugh is a WEALTHY ,WHITE,,MALE who just happens to belong to the Rebublican Party ( I think !) ! I guess my saying that makes me a racist ! As if any body cares !

How soon will Steele have to apologize to Rush for taking such a stance, or how soon will Rush say Steele needs to leave the Republican Party?

Obama is taking over the country, one company at a time... wake up people.

no no no no mr. steele, please let the fight going between all of your bulls republicans, please allow them to make a full of themselves again!!

just give them more time to 'kill' eachother, YYYYAAAAAAA!

Keep on talking, Rush! You can bring down the GOP single-handedly if you keep this up!!

Within 48 hours Michael Steele will be crawling to the Temple of Limbaugh begging forgiveness from the 400 pound pinata.

The GOP is done, done, done.

They've sucessfully driven all but the lily-whites out of the party.

Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot. Wait, what book was that again? The one that soon to be U.S. Senator Al Franken wrote. A man obviously ahead of his time when talking about radio hosts. He was right all along.

Oh Rush...you are making things so much harder for your party. Good job white man. HHaahaha!

No please, you racist facist GOP hardliners should attack her.

She be a little brown wo-man. Let us turn her into a racist.

Not like drugged out, divorced, womanizing Rush FATPIG who promotes the best of the GOP.

Please, cut your throats, all the way back to the spinal cord.

Need a sharpener for that knife? If you'd rather, I'd help you to Heaven.

Rush Limbaugh is a cancer on the Republican party, but instead of trying to get rid of him, they're clinging to him and fighting off everyone who tries to save them. Considering that over the past 8 years they've proven they have NO idea how to govern and can only destroy our great country in every way possible, I think their refusal to cut Limbaugh loose is great news. It'll keep them out of power, and our country can continue to improve without their detrimental input.

It shows the level of stupidity that the GOP is reaching, they don't have any intelligence left in their brain, a lot of voters will be leaving the Republicans, like I did, shameful conditions for all of us living in this country.

I completely agree with Mr. Steele. As for Limbaugh. He is a repulsive, delusional person. The only thing that drives him is hatred.

careful Token Steele, your supreme leader Rush will not approve of this rebellious behavior and will sick his party on you. it is his party he runs it your his butler nothing else..

You’ve got to really question the long-term future viability of a party that takes its talking points and marching orders from someone like Rush Limbaugh. This man has almost singlehandedly transformed a party that once styled itself “the thinking man’s party” into nothing more than the “angry man’s party.” The party used to have something substantive to offer. Now it is nothing more than a bunch of hardcore ideologues – and not particularly gifted ideologues at that.

Go one with your race-bating Rush. I am sure it will really help attract moderates next midterm.

And to party leadership: You can’t have it both ways. Eventually you will have to reign Rush in or kick him to curb. Remember, he is only “important” when you lack the political courage to disagree with him. And if you don’t have the guts to stand up to joker like Rush, do you really deserve to lead again?

Randall
Claremont, CA

Steele, expect that there will be hell to pay when Limbaugh gets a whiff of this. Girl run. lol!

how long before he has to apologize?

Rush Limbaugh thinks his ratings give him the right to sit and judge everyone.

What's amazing about Rush is that he thinks because he uses "logic" he can say offensive things.

Well he's not using any logic that makes sense to most Americans – perhaps to fearful and misguided people.

But that is not the majority of America – I believe Americans as a whole do not agree with Rush Limbaugh.

Is there any difference between David Duke and Newt Gingrich? Why didn't Limbaugh choose himself or Gingrich as good examples for racists? I swear, Limbaugh and Gingrich are worse than David Duke. the new KKK's in 2009 are worse than those in the past. At least they were covered by laws. Winning the presidential elections as he did last November, Obama still is not recognized by the recent KKK's Limbaugh, Hannity and Gincrigh.

Mr. Steele for once will you please speak in an adult context? You are for once making sense and taking a responsible approach but why all the slang? Republicans would be wise to treat this woman with respect.

I say Slam and Ram all they want. Is that not the job of the Senate, to thoroughly explore the record of any Supreme Court candidate? What good is done by confirming a judge solely on race or ethnicity, "because we don't have one of those on the court?" If she is promoted for the job based on race and gender and she is a poor choice, she becomes a poor representative of the abilities of her race and gender....that would make her a heck of a "first." True equality is color blind and gender free and the best candidate would be simply the best candidate...even if he were a white man.

Steele should improve his English language skills if he wants to be taken seriously one day. Limbaugh should retire while he still freely can.

Steele does not speak for most Republicans. He clearly does not have a backbone, which perhaps explains his electoral failings.

Slammin' and rammin?

Could Steele get any more ridiculous? Could the GOP be on a more self-destructive path?

Stelle is finally getting some KAHOONAHS. Suprised he is not cow-towing to Rush as in the past..

other than the slam-ram comment, I think Steele finally see the light. Republicans need to stop the hating and congratulate this nominee.

Steele is absolutely correct. Regardless of your political affiliation this is a historic moment in time and it is important to stop and take note of its significance. Sotomayor is extraordinarily qualified for the position which she has been nominated–for Limbaugh to suggest otherwise just proves how foolish he truly is. Again, to equate her to David Duke, is equally as foolish and only goes to prove how truly out of touch with mainstream America Limbaugh really is. Does he actually believe that the average American is going to see Judge Sotomayor as the equivilent of a Grand Wizard of the Klu Klux Klan? Outrageous...

We Christians must not "slam and ram" anyone. I respect and pray for President Obama, even though I do not agree with his decisions most of the time. I don't think that Limbaugh or Gingrich should have called Sotomayor a racist. I'm certain that Judge Sotomayor will make the best legal decisions that she can. However, the problem here is that she will probably rely on her own wisdom to reach legal conclusions. The Bible teaches us never to rely on our own wisdom.

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5,6

Rush Limbaugh knows full well that the more bizarre things he says, that the more publicity he gets, and therefore the more money he gets.. I wish nobody would pay any attention to him, and then he would drop outta sight!

WOW! What a classy statement ~ "slammin' and rammin'" . This is the spokesperson for the GOP?? Yikes!!

To all of the Democrats who like to spew out ridiculous comments that Rush Limbaugh is the leader of the Republicans, this is proof positive that it is not the case, whatsoever. No matter how many times you say something does not make it necessarily true. So, no matter how many times you say Rush Limbaugh is the leader, it just shows your ignorant and venemous attitude.

Congratulations to Mr. Steele. This is just exactly how this situation should be handled....He is showing the class that is so missing in the Republican Party. If others would follow his leadership, maybe the party would show improvement... For RL and NG To even compare what she said as being rascist is a no brainer.. What Don Imus said was rascist. This was just the judges view..

No one is owed anything in this country. What we need to do is start putting the best candidate in office, not someone who is going to prejudice their decisions based on their own life experiences. Don't they know that that is by itself the very basis for bias that should not be present when they 'interpret' our constitution instead of redefining it to suit their own background?

wow.
The man actually makes sense...
a first for him!

Limbaugh should be listened to. He more than anyone knows what it means to be a bigot and a racist.

"slammin' and rammin'?" Dude, talk your age.

Limbaugh is full of hate ! Shut the HEll up already !! and that goes to all the Republicans !!

You Republicans had the white house for 8 miserable years, RUINED it, put us in this MESS we're in now !! Now it's your turn
to just SHUT THE HELL UP and let the Democrats handle it.

Bush and Cheney- your retarded asses are out, now go somewhere
and keep your stupid mouths shut !! STOP ALL YOUR CRITIZING !!
YOU'RE NOT IN CONTROL ANYMORE- THANK GOD !

OBAMA 08 !!!

Steele is a day late and a dollar short on his comments. Limbaugh has already offended...AGAIN.

Gary's comment is:

I say keep Rush Limbaugh right were he is talking for the Republican
Party, or so he thinks. If he keeps talking and saying the stupid things
he is saying there will be no Republican party for people to join.

I hope the day comes one day Americans will not to hear a daily blast
of hate and mis-information from the "Three Stooges" Rush Limbaugh
Sean Hannity, and Nute Gingrich, who should be locked up togeather
in a big room so they could make each other laugh, like most people
I find nothing funny about them or interesting.

I'll bet the back forty acres Boss Limbaugh did not authorize this statement. OK, Mr. Steele, good for you. I'm a Dirty Dog Democrat, but I am starting to honor you as a worthy opponent. You are standing up. Keep it up.

"Slammin and rammin"? So what, Mushmouth now thinks he's John Holmes?

This white honky cannot understand "jive talk"!

"Slammin and rammin" I understand, but not in this context.

I hope that Sambo Steele's efforts to bring the "gangsta rap and hip hop" crowd into the party of the Aryan Nation's tent, is working better on them than me.

Lord knows America needed a change from the previous administration and the old methods of conducting business yet only public opinion knows when too much change begins to yield diminished returns. The Sotomayor nomination may be the tipping point depending on her confirmation hearings particularly her stand on illegal immigrants and her acceptance of radical movements like La Raza. I doubt seriously if America will accept a justice embracing those who will violate American laws!!!

I would respectfully submit that Rush Limbaugh has a lot more in common with David Duke than anybody in the Obams administration!

Translation: Her qualifications don't matter one bit. What matters is her ethnicity. When you start grouping people into those categories you start sounding like democrats. Cowards.

Whatever! The damage to the relationship between the Republican Party and the Hispanics is already done!!!!!!!!!
Hispanics, African-Americans, mnorities as a whole are getting a true picture of what it is to be "part of a minority group" and also be a republican. It is like water and oil: THEY WON'T EVER MIXED!!!!!!!!!!

Whatever! The damage to the relationship between the Republican Party and the Hispanics is already done!!!!!!!!!
Hispanics, African-Americans, mnorities as a whole are getting a true picture of what it is to be "part of a minority group" and also be a republican. It is like water and oil: THEY WON'T EVER MIXED!!!!!!!!!!

He say I'm sorry soon enough to Rush and Newt, just wait and and see. The only question is how soon it will come. Monday at the latest I bet. The true leaders of the GOP will have Steele on his knees, again.

Limbaugh calling a hispanic woman a "racist" is like a Nazi blaming Jews for the holocaust. This drug-addicted, bigoted misogynist gets more and more insane as time goes on. If he turned some of his hate inward (where it belongs), he would almost be amusing, maybe even worthy of stand-up comedy. What's most disturbing is the flock of middle-class Americans that actually buy into this mega-rich blowhard's anti-American beliefs. The fact is, he does not want to see our country succeed – he said it himself. The more war, hatred, despair, and destruction, the fatter his wallet gets.

See this. This is your brain. See this. This is your brain on drugs.

Rush is a racist, and so are his followers. If they didn't agree with his rhetoric, they wouldn't listen to him–period.

we would all be better off if the lintbag,who can not get elected to a job as dog catcher would just shut his mouth.

As a Christian i would like to know if there are other Christians who listen to Limbaugh. If so how do you justify listening to his anti-christian remarks?

The Republican Party does nothing more than spew fear and hate.

Let them drown in the cesspool they created for themselves.

Good riddance.

Well... I thinkk Steele is as much a token for the Ghastly Old Party to have a black guy challenging the first black president as much as Sotomayor is a symbolic gesture of giving justice to the word diversity. Both have their own respective achievements, but the consequences of their elevation are obvious.

Plain truth.

Another plain truth? Those who believe in everything that Limbaugh says are just plain dumb and unwise.

Funny.... David Duke was (is?) a Republican. if you are going to try and slam a nominee by painting them as the worst kind of bigoted racist, you probably shouldn't hold them up to someone from your own party as an example!!!!

When does the Republican Party get sick and tired of Rush Limbaugh being their voice? When do the finally come out with a statement like "Rush Limbaugh is just a person with an opinion. His opinions are not based on any type of experience, be they work related or educational. He never studied any of the topics he discusses, in college. In fact, he flunked out of the only course he took in college. He never had a job that had anything to do with the economy, financial matters, social matters, judicial matters, political matters, foreign policy matters, or anything else. He was a DJ. He played music on the radio. Please ignore him."

Oh, look. Mikey is trying to take back the manhood that King Rush and Cheney took from him a few months ago. Anybody want to bet how long it will take the dogmatic duo to put the smackdown on Mikey THIS time???? Here's a hint: I'm reaching for my egg timer now....

and besides all that we need to woo women and hispanics to the party of NO. Hook or crook.

Oh really? in other words you still are going to fight tooth and nail to get rid of her but try to hang on to the Hispanic vote. Nice try.

I am truly believe that Rush is mentally handicapped. I'm afraid for our country. This man is scarier than Bin Laden. I strongly suggest the CIA keep an eye on Rush.

michael steel is full of it, we know what he is

Though I agree with what he is saying He will grovel before the Limpbough on Monday!!!

Limbaugh exposed. Let him continue on. There is no better way to expose ignorance than to let it speak.

So Limbaugh–was it OK when Alito said very similar things about his racial background when he was being confirmed???

Steele cracks me up. Sotomayor's nomination is "historic". But he just got through saying the other day that Obama wasn't vetted properly because he was black.

Thank goodness I know some ordinary conservatives and Republicans, and they are much more respectful than these two bozos!

[...] thing Michael Steele didn't mention Limbaugh by name, or else there'd REALLY be trouble!  "Slammin' and rammin'" [...]

Oh Michael Oh Michael, watch out you might end up getting spanked by Rush again!! I think this is just posturing by Mr Steele, sort of Alpha Male knee jerk reaction, to showing who's boss. Maybe he cleared it with head man Rush and got approval to get nasty with the ultra right.
This is typical of a party that is totally rudderless, they can't figure who or what they are or stand for.

To paraphrase an old saw: If a democrat should speak in the desert where no republican could hear-would he still be wrong?

Your 10th leader is speaking Republicans......Get your 'heezy' in order and leave judge Sotomayor alone.....Rapper Steele knows best.......

The Republican Party is truly an irrevelent regional rump party. They as is contribute nothing to the betterment of America.

If anyone ever reads my postings you must be aware that I am not a Republican. However let's give credit where due. Steele is right.

Smart advice.

At first I thought she would be too controversial to be nominated, but now I see that the controversies expose just how racist many prominent Republicans are and that they’re racist view extend beyond blacks to include Latinos as well.

The controversy may be a good fund raising tool for Republicans, but the sums of money gained will not buy what they loss in the process, a large segment of Hispanic supporters that otherwise might be attracted to the more conservative party.

He'll be backtracking and kissing Rush's backside bySunday am.

uh oh I wonder if Steele is just going to wind up apologizing to Rushie once again? If he doesn't this time and stands his ground he's going to be labeled not a "real Republican" so he better get ready for it.

Limbaugh needs to retire and shut up. Whats a former addict know anyway? He's burned out!

Finally Steele has a back bone and some one knees to take Ruch off the air, cancel his contract and let him crawl under the rock he came out of. Oh no I think he was made in a dish.

Steele may be excommunicated from the GOP by Rush Limbaugh for insubordination.

Oh, except for Rush Limlips, Of Course!

"Steele rips Limbaugh"???? Why did you write such a misleading headline???? They have different approaches, but I don't see the "rip" at all. Why does CNN write headlines this way??? It must be to give the impression of Rush Limbaugh as a radical kook. You liberals need to take him seriously. He is thoughtful and, yes, provocative. He makes people think. It's too bad your headline writer didn't.

That would be Limplips, Sorry

I have always been a republican all my life and my real hero was President Reagan. I do not know what this party has become, but one thing for sure it is unrecognizable. Even though I voted for Bush twice and felt betrayed for his cronyism, I decided to also give my vote to McCain. But ever since he lost, the leadership of the Republican party has done nothing but disgust me. If you do not have something nice to say or do not have a solution for the problem the "shut-up" and let those in charge with ample knowledge to make the decisions for us. Using smear tactics or whining about the issues will not resolve the problem. Let's be the bigger men, let's listen to others and provide solutions for the people, not party ideology or affiliations.

Sincerely,

A disgusted Republican.

Well.......who'd have ever thought that Steele would engage his brain before he would engage his mouth!

Finally, some words of wisdom from The rebublicans. Thank you

The day would not have been complete without a word from uncle Mikey.I give him about 6 more months at the job before Rush cans him.

How long before he apologizes to Limbaugh?

"historic aspect" of her nomination. ...............Mr. Steele we were told the same thing regarding Obama and look at the mess he's made, and will make, of this country.

I'm going with Rush Limbaugh on this one.

Having a female Hispanic on the Supreme Court would be wonderful, and a historic aspect, but not Sonia Sotomayor.

It doesn't matter how much you try to sugarcoat any real criticism of Sotomayor, dear leader, any criticism will be met with slanderous accusations of racism.

Grow a pair man! And fight!

There are plenty of legitimate reasons to challenge her judicial temperance and knowledge of the law. And nobody on the left (or the so-called middle) is going to give you grace to make those challenges.

She is a reflection of Obama's philosophies with a bigger paper trail. The Dems have handed us the ammunition we need to define their "real" beliefs.

Steele's apology to Limbaugh in 5...4...3...

God bless the leader of the Republican party, RL.

You go boy!!!

Keep up the good work of making the Rep party smaller and smaller.

Mr. Chairman:
It is good to know the part is 'near' unanimous on this issue.

Mr. Steele Token wil apologize to Limpball by Saturday morning.

Limbaugh should lay off of Judge Sotermayor-maybe he will get
lucky when she is on the Supreme Court that she will rule that the
pills Limbaugh was hooked on are legal.

It's too late Mr. pseudo Republican leader, the real defacto non-elected heads of the party, Limbaugh and Gingrich, have already polluted any effective debate on her nomination.

Yep, on day one, Rush and Newt killed any chance of blocking Sotomayor's confirmation.

Sometimes I think that Limbaugh, Gingrich, Rove, Cheney, Palin, Coulter and Bush are really undercover Democrats whose job is to destroy the GOP from within, because WOW, they just could not be doing a better job of wrecking the party!

Well Is Michael Steele going to have to apologize to Rush again?

Mr. Steele aren't you outraged about what Rev. Huckabee said about you? Fo shizzle my bizzle....

"I think she's disqualified herself. Not only does she lack the often-discussed appropriate judicial temperament, it's worse than that. She brings a form of bigotry or racism to the court," Limbaugh said.
-----------–
HE TALKS ABOUT BRINGING A FORM OF BIGOTY TO THE COURT? He represents some of the most extreme bigots in the country!

Comparing Sotomayor's nomination to one of David Duke is beyond illogical. It's surreal, absurd. But unfortunately many Republicans, good decent folks, fall for Rush's theatrics. Sad state of affairs for their party indeed.

yeah, but does anyone listen?

Oh come on Michael – let Rush, Newt, Karl and Tom define the stance of the Republicans. No one else is.

Food Fight! Mud-slinging! I just love the repugnants imploding upon themselves – it's Pig Pile time! Enjoy the slop!

Slammin and rammin? Who is he, Don King??

Steele in the hizzie-fazillie mutha-f(Rahm)!!

I can only imagine what it must be like to be a person of color in this country and and hae to put up with the minstrel show garbage that flies out of Steele's mouth like so many gnats.